written in response to America's half a million Covid deaths
"We often hear people described as ordinary Americans. There's nothing ordinary about them." With a moment's pause for reflection, the President continues, "The people we lost were extraordinary. They span generations. Born in America, emigrated to America."
the flags
flying at half-mast
for five days
the White House
lit by candles
Television light flickers on a wrinkled face. "So many of these extraordinary Americans took their final breath alone." His voice is scarcely above a whisper.
the number
on the TV screen
in bold red
he stares into the future
from his nursing home window
